Self-healing membranes for polymer electrolyte applications

Abstract

A self-healing composite membrane includes a continuous ionomer phase in which is dispersed a plurality of hollow fibers and/or microcapsules each containing a liquid healing agent that includes a dispersion or solution of a healing ionomer in a liquid vehicle. Electrochemical devices employing the self-healing composite membranes are provided.

1 . A self-healing composite membrane comprising a continuous ionomer phase in which is dispersed a plurality of hollow fibers and/or microcapsules each containing a liquid healing agent that comprises a dispersion or solution of a healing ionomer in a liquid vehicle. 
     
     
         2 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the composite membrane comprises said plurality of microcapsules. 
     
     
         3 . The composite membrane according to  claim 2 , wherein the microcapsules are urea-formaldehyde microcapsules. 
     
     
         4 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the composite membrane comprises said plurality of hollow fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of hollow fibers are oriented randomly. 
     
     
         6 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of hollow fibers are oriented along a first axis, and the rest are oriented along an axis orthogonal to the first. 
     
     
         7 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the ionomer of the continuous ionomer phase is a cation-transporting ionomer. 
     
     
         8 . The composite membrane according to  claim 7 , wherein the cation-transporting ionomer is a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the ionomer of the continuous ionomer phase is an anion-transporting ionomer. 
     
     
         10 . The composite membrane according to  claim 9 , wherein the anion-transporting ionomer comprises quaternary ammonium groups. 
     
     
         11 . The composite membrane according to  claim 9 , wherein the anion-transporting ionomer comprises quaternary phosphonium groups. 
     
     
         12 . The composite membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein the healing ionomer is the same as the ionomer of the continuous ionomer phase. 
     
     
         13 . An electrochemical device employing the composite membrane according to any prcccding  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is a fuel cell. 
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is an electrolyzer. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is a battery. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is a solar hydrogen device. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is a desalination device. 
     
     
         19 . The electrochemical device according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical device is an electrodialysis device.